~ Info session for staff soon ~
PHILIPSBURG--Water and light company GEBE Interim Manager Sharine Daniel said on Monday that discussions about the proposed new collective labour agreement (CLA) with St. Maarten Communications Union (SMCU) are ongoing and preparations are underway to host several informative meetings with GEBE staffers to give them an update on the status of the proposed CLA and social plan.
Daniel explained that negotiations with the union had started prior to Hurricane Irma in September 2017 and have been ongoing ever since. She said due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis period, GEBE has encountered challenges just like all other companies where its revenues have been affected in a negative way.
“As a result, in order to guarantee the continuity and financial health of the company, the Supervisory Board and myself [are – Ed.] currently reviewing the proposed CLA. I informed the SMCU accordingly a few weeks ago and assured them that the required legal and financial reviews are being performed without any further delays.
“These legal and financial reviews are required to ensure that NV GEBE can comply with any cost-increasing proposals despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its business,” Daniel said.
She said that currently GEBE’s management and staff are in harmony and it is “my intention that it remains that way by being not only objective and fair, but also transparent with open communication to NV GEBE employees. The ongoing discussions regarding the CLA with SMCU are an internal matter, but employees can rest assured that this matter has my full attention, as I have the best interest of the company and the employees at heart.”
